Study

Effects of prescribed burning on herptiles in southeastern Queensland

  • Published source details Hannah D.S. & Smith G.C. (1995) Effects of prescribed burning on herptiles in southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 38, 529-531.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in forests

Action Link
Amphibian Conservation
  1. Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna

    A replicated, site comparison study in 1994 of native forest and non-native pine plantations near Brisbane, Australia (Hannah & Smith 1995) found that reptile abundance was higher in burned native forest than unburned forest, but lower in burned plantations than unburned, and that species richness was unaffected. Reptile-only results were not statistically tested. In native forest there were more reptiles captured in five-year burn cycles than unburned sites (5-year cycle: 60, 3-year: 40; unburned: 31). In pine plantations, fewer reptiles were found in burned sites than unburned sites (burned seven years ago: 16, burned two years ago: 5, unburned: 33). Species richness was similar between burned (3–8 species) and unburned plots (6–7 species). Treatments in native forest (1.5 ha; two replicates) were: burned in autumn–winter on a three-year cycle (burned 1991), in winter–spring on a five-year cycle (burned 1993) or unburned (since 1973). In the plantation (25 ha) treatments were: burned two or seven years ago, or unburned. Drift-fencing with pitfall traps and active searching were used for monitoring in January or March 1994 (75–180 trap nights/treatment).

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

  2. Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in forests

    A replicated, controlled, site comparison study in 1994 of native forest and managed near Brisbane, Australia (Hannah & Smith 1995) found that prescribed fires in native forest resulted in increased amphibian abundance but not species richness. In native forest there was a significantly higher number captured in 5-year burn cycles than unburned sites (5-year cycle: 127; 3-year: 85; unburned: 51). In plantations, numbers were similar (burned seven years ago: 37; burned two years ago: 48; unburned: 39). There was no significant difference in species richness between treatments (native: 3–4; plantation: 6). Treatments in native forest (1.5 ha; two replicates) were: burned in autumn–winter on a 3-year cycle (burned 1991), in winter–spring on a 5-year cycle (burned 1993) or unburned (since 1973). In the plantation (25 ha) treatments were: burned two or seven years ago or unburned. Drift-fencing with pitfall traps and active searching were used for monitoring in January or March 1994 (75–180 trap nights/treatment).

     

     

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